Device for dosed dispensing of a liquid from a composite container and method for filling the composite container (&#34;liquid dispensing flair&#34;)

ABSTRACT

A device for the dosed dispensing of a liquid is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the device can include a composite container including (i) a flexible inner container, in which a liquid can be provided, and (ii) a form-retaining outer container in which the inner container can be fixed. The device further comprises a tap unit which is connected to the composite container and which comprises an outflow channel and a valve. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the inner container has a dispensing opening and the outer container is provided with a neck enclosing the dispensing opening. Further, the inner container can be connected to the outer container both at the area of the dispensing opening as well as at a location remote from the dispensing opening. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the outer container can have an opening for introducing a displacing medium, such as, for example, air, at a location remote from the neck. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the tap unit can be sealably provided in the dispensing opening of the inner container. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a method for filling such a composite container with a liquid so as to be used in the described dispensing device can also be provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a United States national stage application of PCT/EP2008/010429, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. PCT/EP2008/010429 was published as WO 2009/074285, on Jun. 18, 2009. PCT/EP2008/010429 claims priority to (i) NL 1034805, filed on Dec. 10, 2007, and to (ii) NL 1035761, filed on Jul. 28, 2008, each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for dosed dispensing of a liquid from a composite container. Such a dispensed liquid can be, for example, a beverage, such as beer, soda or other carbonated drinks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various devices are known for the dispensing of carbonated drinks, such as beer or soda. Additionally, in recent years the use of home tap installations has greatly increased as an alternative to patronizing bars or taverns, where professional installations for dispensing beer on-tap are used. However, most known home on-tap installations are relatively complicated and thus expensive, especially so because they have their own cooling systems.

Conventionally, there are simple on-tap mechanisms which can, for example, be connected to small kegs for home use. However, such kegs need to be stored in a refrigerator, and, given the geometries of residential refrigerators, they are usually stored lying on their sides. Then, to dispense the beverage, at each use the keg has to be removed from the refrigerator, as conventional tap mechanisms cannot empty a keg positioned on its side.

Finally, conventional home on-tap systems generally suffer from problems of “dripping.” After dispensing a glass of, for example, beer, some liquid tends to remain in the outflow channel. As these remnants are gradually released, dripping occurs. Because home on-tap systems are usually kept either on a kitchen counter or in the refrigerator, such dripping can lead to stains and mess, and is generally a nuisance. Moreover, any liquid remaining in the outflow channel can eventually decay, generating molds and/or bacteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described on the basis of various exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dispensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 2 depicts how the exemplary device of FIG. 1 comprises a container with a tap unit mounted on a pressurization unit,

FIG. 3 depicts a partial cut-away perspective view of the pressurization unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional perspective view of the upper portion of the exemplary container and tap unit of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 shows a close-up longitudinal cross-section of the upper portion of the exemplary container of FIG. 1, where the tap unit is in a resting (non-dispensing) position;

FIG. 6 depicts a similar view to that of FIG. 5, where dispensing is occurring;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, along the plane containing line VII-VII of FIG. 6, of an alternate tap unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8-10 depict various steps in pre-forming an exemplary composite container for use in exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 depicts the exemplary composite container of FIGS. 8-10 after inflation to its final form;

FIG. 12 depicts the connection of a displacing medium source to an intake opening of the exemplary container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13-19 depict different steps in the filling of an exemplary container according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary container, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in a filled configuration, ready for use;

FIG. 21A is a longitudinal cross-section through the upper portion of an exemplary container and a tap unit according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a ready-to-use position;

FIG. 21B is an enlarged scale cross-sectional detailed view of a portion of the outflow channel and outflow valve of FIG. 21A;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are views, respectively corresponding to those of FIGS. 21A and 21B, of the exemplary container and tap unit at the beginning of a dispensing operation, just before the outflow valve is opened;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are views, respectively corresponding to those of FIGS. 21A and 21B, of the exemplary container and tap unit during dispensing, when the outflow valve is opened but the aerating valve is closed; and

FIGS. 24A and 24B are views, respectively corresponding to those of FIGS. 21A and 21B, of the container and tap unit during blow-out of the outflow channel after dispensing, where the outflow valve is closed but the aerating valve is opened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for the dosed dispensing of a liquid is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the device can include a composite container including (i) a flexible inner container, in which a liquid can be provided, and (ii) a form-retaining outer container in which the inner container can be fixed. The device further comprises a tap unit which is connected to the composite container and which comprises an outflow channel and a valve. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the inner container has a dispensing opening and the outer container is provided with a neck enclosing the dispensing opening. Further, the inner container can be connected to the outer container both at the area of the dispensing opening as well as at a location remote from the dispensing opening. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the outer container can have an opening for introducing a displacing medium, such as, for example, air, at a location remote from the neck. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the tap unit can be sealably provided in the dispensing opening of the inner container. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a method for filling such a composite container with a liquid so as to be used in the described dispensing device can also be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an improved and simplified device for the dosed dispensing of liquids, such as, for example, carbonated drinks, can be provided. Such an exemplary device is shown in FIGS. 1-10. An alternate version of a portion of an exemplary device is shown in FIGS. 21-24.

In addition, the present invention includes a method for filling a composite container with a liquid which can be used in an exemplary dispensing device. Conventionally, filling kegs with a liquid, in particular a carbonated liquid, often entails problems. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention an improved method for filling containers with liquid can be provided. Such an exemplary method is illustrated in FIGS. 11-20.

FIG. 1 depicts a dispensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. With reference thereto, the device 1 comprises a composite container 2, and a tap unit 3 connected thereto. Arranged on the top side of composite container 2 can be, for example, a ring 4, in which two handles 5 can be provided (FIG. 1 shows only a front handle, but FIG. 5 depicts a second, rear handle), and in which tap unit 3 can be placed. Similarly, on the underside of container 2 can be, for example, a ring 6, which can, for example, function as a base during storage and transport of container 2.

The underside of container 2 can be further provided with releasable connecting means, with which container 2 can be connected to, for example, a pressurization unit 7. Such releasable connecting means can, for example, be in the form of protrusions 8, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 12 and 20, which can form, for example, a bayonet connection with recesses 9 in the top side of pressurization unit 7, as shown in FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 3, pressurization unit 7 can, for example, comprise a pump 10 which can be driven by an electric motor 11. Electric motor 11 can be powered by a number of batteries 12. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, these can be four 1.5 V AA batteries. Pressurization unit 7 can be further provided with control means which are connected to (i) electric motor 11, and to (ii) a sensor for detecting the pressure in container 2. For example, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the control means and the pressure detecting means (or sensor) can be formed together into a so-called pressostat 13 (a “pressostat” being a device that maintains a certain constant pressure). Such an exemplary pressostat can be set to a value such that the pressure in container 2 is always higher than the saturation pressure of whichever gas is dissolved in the liquid being dispensed, such as, for example, carbon dioxide (CO₂) in soda or beer. Thus, as a result of this applied pressure the dissolved gas remains in solution in the liquid, and the liquid retains its taste and character.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, pump 10 can be connected via a conduit (not shown in FIG. 3) to an air inlet 14, which in turn can be connected to a connecting opening 15 in the center of pressurization unit 7. Connecting opening 15, which can, for example, be enclosed by a gasket 16, can be connected to an intake opening 17 of container 2, as described below (see FIGS. 19-20).

With reference to FIGS. 5-6, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention tap unit 3 can comprise a stopper body 18 which can, for example, be sealably placed in a dispensing opening 28 of container 2 using an annular gasket 27. As shown in FIG. 4, a vertically running central opening 19 can, for example, be provided in stopper body 18, in which a valve 20 can be moved up and down. Returning to FIGS. 5-6, central opening 19 can have two cylindrical parts 19A, 19B which can, for example, be connected by a third conically tapering part 19C. Valve 20 can have a similar form and thus can, for example, be provided with three gasket rings 21A-21C. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, a vertical bore 22 can be formed in valve 20, to which can be connected a rigid and straight dip tube 23. Lying transversely to the vertical bore can be a second bore 24 which can define an outflow portion of valve 20.

Similarly, a horizontal opening 25 can be formed in stopper body 18, in which an outflow channel 26 can be provided. Horizontal opening 25 can, for example, be fluidly connected to the second bore 24 of valve 20 when valve 20 is moved to its open position, as shown in FIG. 6. Further, a second vertical opening 29 can, for example, be formed in the upper side of stopper body 18 to provide an aerating opening. It is noted in this connection that aerating outflow channel 26 can prevent any liquid remaining in the channel due to an underpressure after valve 20 has been closed at the end of a dispensing operation, which could result in decay, as noted above. Thus, aerating valve 30 can be provided in aerating opening 29, and valve 30 can be operated in a determined sequence with valve 20. For this purpose the two valves 20, 30 can be, for example, integrated to form a unit, which itself can be pivotally connected via shaft 31 to a shared operating tab 32, which can, is in turn, be pivotally connected to ring 4 via shaft 33.

Finally, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, recesses 34, 35 can also be formed both in operating member 32 as well as in stopper body 18, between which a resetting spring (not shown) can be tensioned (to return operating tab 32 to its home, or at rest, position).

In alternative exemplary embodiments of the present invention as shown in FIG. 7, second bore 24 can be oriented in an opposite direction to outflow channel 26, and second bore 24 can then, for example, be connected to outflow channel 26 via an annular conduit 36 running around the outside circumference of valve 20. In this way the outflow of liquid from container 2 can be better guided, and excessive foam formation can be prevented when the liquid in container 2 is under pressure and has carbon dioxide or some other gas dissolved in it.

Composite container 2 is next described with reference to, inter alia, FIGS. 8-10. As noted above, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, container 2 is a “composite” container, which includes a flexible inner container 37 and a form-retaining outer container 38. The term “form-retaining” is intended to denote that outer container 38 is physically stable and does not deform to any considerable degree under loads encountered during normal use. Inner container 37 can, for example, be made of a relatively soft plastic such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), while a harder plastic, such as, for example, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), can be chosen for outer container 38. The difference in stiffness between inner container 37 and outer container 38 can also be achieved using different material thicknesses when using the same material for each, or, for example, when using similar materials for each. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, inner container 37 and outer container 38 can be pre-formed via injection-molding and can then be inflated to their final form. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, inner container 37 and outer container 38 can be connected to each other in different ways.

In the example depicted in FIGS. 8-10, the inner container 37 is connected at the position of its dispensing opening 28 to a neck 39 of the outer container, and, in addition, at least one other connection is formed between them at a location remote from dispensing opening 28. Thus, inner container and outer container can, for example, be connected in two places. In the depicted example of FIGS. 8-10 this connection can be, for example, a mechanical connection. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention inner container 37 and outer container 38 can be injection-molded separately and then one can be inserted into the other, as shown, for example, in FIG. 8. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a tip-shaped connecting member 41 of inner container 37 can, for example, protrude through intake opening 17 of outer container 38 while leaving a narrow annular gap 46 open.

As shown in FIG. 9, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention cap 40 can then placed over tip-shaped connecting member 41 and attached to it via spin welding, as shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIGS. 11-20, cap 40 forms part of a valve 42 for a displacing medium, which is described in detail in Netherlands Patent Application No. 1034419, filed on Sep. 22, 2007, and in PCT application WO/2009/041809, published on Apr. 2, 2009, under common assignment herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. When inner container 37 and outer container 38 are thus connected to each other, they can be inflated to their final form, in which the remainder of valve 42 and ring 6 can also be mounted.

The connection by means of tip-shaped connecting member 41 and spin welded cap 40 is strong enough to withstand the loads to which the inner and outer containers 37, 38 are subjected by the introduction of a pressurized displacing medium.

FIGS. 21-24 depict an alternate embodiment of tap unit 103 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is noted that the various elements of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 21-24 have similar index numbers to those in the exemplary tap unit embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, except that in that of FIGS. 21-24 the corresponding index numbers are increased by 100.

With reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, outflow channel 126 has a dispensing part 147, which can be connected by a ball joint 148 to a horizontal part 149, which in turn can be, for example, clamped into a widened part 150 of bend 151. Bend 151 forms part of knob 152 that can, for example, be snapped onto stepped cylindrical aerating valve 130.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the vertical part of bend 151 can extend into an inner wall 153 of aerating valve 130, in which outflow valve 120 can also fixed. As shown in FIG. 21B, outflow valve 120 can also be formed as a stepped cylinder, and can have a T-shaped channel 154, of which one leg runs axially through the narrow part of the valve 120, and the other leg runs transversely through the wider part of the valve 120 and opens into the periphery thereof at both sides.

Again referring to FIG. 21B, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention outflow valve 120 and aerating valve 130 can be jointly slidable in a two-part housing 155, of which an inner and lower part 156 (referred to below as “lower housing part”) can be suspended in container neck 139, while an outer and upper part 157 (referred to below as “upper housing part”) can be fixed to neck 139 by connecting means 158 (see FIG. 21A).

As shown in FIG. 22B, aerating valve 130 can have, for example, two gasket rings 159A, 159B that can respectively cooperate with (i) an inner wall 160 of upper housing part 157, and (ii) an outer wall 161 of lower housing part 156. Additionally, outflow valve 120 can be provided with three gasket rings 121A-121C that can cooperate with the various parts of stepped inner wall 162 of lower housing part 156.

Lower housing part 156 can be arranged in tray 163 which can also, for example, be suspended in container neck 139. Tray 163 can have an opening 164 in its bottom, which can be, for example, connected to the interior of container 102. At the bottom of tray 126 a dip tube 123 can, for example, be fixed for transporting liquid from the bottom of container 102 to tap unit 103.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, tap unit 103 can, for example, be operated by means of a handle 132 that is pivotable about a horizontal shaft 133 at the top of upper housing part 157. Handle 132, can, for example, have an engaging part 165 that pushes knob 152 when handle 132 pivots around shaft 133. Handle 134 can further comprise, for example, two arms 166 which engage an edge of knob 152 from below when handle 132 is in its resting position. In this way the movement of knob 152 is blocked.

Finally, aerating valve 130 can, for example, be arranged to connect outflow channel 126 with a displacing medium present in the space R between inner and outer containers 137, 138 after outflow valve 120 has been closed. To this end tap unit 103 can include, for example, an intermediate chamber 167 bordered by aerating valve 130 and inner housing part 156. As shown in FIG. 23, intermediate chamber 167 can be connected to space R when outflow valve 120 is opened, and, as shown in FIG. 24, can be connected to outflow channel 126 when outflow valve 120 is closed. In this way a limited amount of the displacing medium can be directed to outflow channel 126.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connection between space R and intermediate chamber 167 can be formed by a channel 168 that is provided in neck 139 of outer container 138, a space between neck 139 of outer container 138 and neck 169 of inner container 137, a plurality of openings 170 in neck 169 of inner container 137, a corresponding plurality of openings 171 in lower housing part 156, and a gap between lower and upper housing parts 156 and 157. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention this connection can be opened, for example, as soon as the lowermost gasket ring 159B of aerating valve 130 is released from a thickened part 172 of outer wall 161 of inner housing part 156, after which intermediate chamber 167 can be filled with the displacing medium.

The connection between intermediate chamber 167 and outflow channel 126 can, for example, be formed by a plurality of openings 173 in inner wall 162 of lower housing part 156, which opens into a somewhat widened part of said inner wall, and by T-shaped channel 154. This connection can be opened, for example, as soon as central gasket ring 121B of outflow valve 120 reaches such widened part of inner wall 162, after which the displacing medium can, for example, flow from intermediate chamber 167 through outflow channel 126 to the surrounding area. Any liquid remaining in outflow channel 126 can thus be blown out. Because such aerating—i.e., blowing-out—of outflow channel 126 can, for example, take place immediately after dispensing, a user's glass can still be held under outflow channel 126, such that any remaining liquid being blown out can be caught in the glass.

Next described is an exemplary method for filling container 2 according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 12-20.

To fill container 2, a source of pressurized displacing medium, such as, for example, compressed air, can be first connected to valve 42 by means of a nipple 43, a shown in FIG. 12. The compressed air, for example, can then be introduced through annular gap 46 into the space R between inner container 37 and outer container 38, such that inner container 37 is almost completely compressed, as shown in FIG. 13. At this stage only the somewhat thickened bottom of inner container 37 around pin 41 retains its form. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a filling conduit 44 with a nozzle 45 can then, for example, be placed in dispensing opening 28, and liquid can be injected into inner container 37 via such conduit 44, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. As the liquid is injected into the inner container 37, the air in space R is thus pressed out, and leaves container 2 via intake opening 17. By holding the pressure of the air (or other displacing medium, as the case may be) in space R above the saturation pressure of the gas dissolved in the liquid, it is possible to prevent the formation of foam during filling.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when inner container 37 has been completely filled, as shown in FIG. 17, filling conduit 44 can be detached as shown in FIG. 18, and inner container 37 can then be sealed, for example, by fastening stopper body 18 of tap unit 3 into dispensing opening 28, as shown in FIG. 19. The remaining components of tap unit 3 and ring 4 can then be mounted on container 2, after which it is ready for use.

At this juncture it is noted that container 2 provided with tap unit 3 can be used not only for carbonated drinks, but for other drinks or liquids as well where it is important that the drink or liquid not be exposed to the environment, such as, for example, wine or fruit juices. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention It is alternatively possible, of course, to dispense with pressure unit 7 altogether, and instead ambient air can be admitted into the space R between inner container 37 and outer container 38 when the liquid is poured out.

Thus, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a structurally simple device for dosed dispensing of liquids, in particular carbonated liquids and/or liquids under pressure, can be provided, with an easily replaceable container. Additionally, given the construction of the composite container, aging of the liquid can be prevented, as well as the fact that the liquid can be easily kept under pressure, which, inter alia, prevents the escape of a gas dissolved therein.

Moreover, by connecting the inner and outer containers at a second location, in addition to their connection at the container neck, the inner container can be prevented from crumpling up or crimping near the dispensing opening and thus trapping part of the liquid. In combination with the action of the displacing medium, which keeps the liquid in the inner container under uniform pressure from all sides, this manner of connection allows the inner container to be completely emptied. Aeration of the outflow channel, either, for example, by ambient air or, for example, by using some of the displacing medium, can keep the outflow channel clean and thus prevent dripping. Finally, as described above, the exemplary container is easy to fill.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that such embodiments are exemplary only, the present invention not being limited to any, or all, of them, and that various variations and modifications are possible, all of which included in the present invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. 

1. A device for dispensing a liquid, comprising: a composite container comprising: a flexible inner container, in which a liquid can be provided; a form-retaining outer container in which the inner container is fixed; and a tap unit connected to the composite container, said tap unit comprising at least one outflow channel and an outflow valve, wherein the inner container has a dispensing opening and the outer container is provided with a neck enclosing the dispensing opening, wherein the inner container is connected to the outer container at the position of the dispensing opening and at least at one location remote from the dispensing opening, wherein the outer container has at least one displacing medium intake opening at a location remote from the neck, and wherein the tap unit is sealably provided in the dispensing opening of the inner container.
 2. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the inner container is also connected to the outer container at the position of the displacement medium intake opening.
 3. The dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the inner container is connected to the outer container by means of a connecting element protruding through said intake opening.
 4. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a pressurization unit connected to the intake opening of the outer container to pressurize a displacing medium.
 5. The dispensing device of claim 4, wherein the pressurization unit comprises one of: a motor-driven pump and an electric motor driven pump.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The dispensing device of claim 5, further comprising control means communicably connected to (i) the electric motor and to (ii) a sensor arranged to detect the pressure in the inner container.
 8. The dispensing device of claim 4, wherein the pressurization unit is releasably connected to the outer container.
 9. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the tap unit comprises a stopper body receivable in the dispensing opening, said stopper body provided with a central opening into which the outflow valve can be received, and wherein the outflow channel extends substantially transversely to said central opening.
 10. The dispensing device of claim 9, further comprising a dip tube connected to the central opening and extending down into the inner container.
 11. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the tap unit has an aerating opening connected to the outflow channel and an aerating valve, said aerating opening being closable by the aerating valve.
 12. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the aerating valve and the outflow valve can be operated in a determined sequence.
 13. The dispensing device of claim 12, further comprising a shared operating member co-acting with the aerating valve and the outflow valve.
 14. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the aerating opening is open to ambient air.
 15. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein there is a displacing medium provided in a space between the inner container and the outer container.
 16. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the aerating opening is in gaseous communication with the displacing medium.
 17. The dispensing device of claim 16, further comprising an intermediate chamber that is: connected to the space between the inner and outer containers when the outflow valve is opened, and connected to the outflow channel when the outflow valve is closed.
 18. The dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the sequence comprises: both the outflow valve and the aerating valve being closed; the outflow valve being open and the aerating valve being closed; the outflow valve being closed and the aerating valve being opened.
 19. A method for filling a composite container with a liquid, said composite container comprising an inner container and an outer container, the method comprising: connecting an intake opening of the outer container to a source of displacing medium; filling a space between the inner container and the outer container with the displacing medium; connecting a filling conduit for the liquid onto a dispensing opening of the inner container; injecting the liquid through the dispensing opening into the inner container, such that the displacing medium is pushed out of the outer container through the intake opening; releasing the filling conduit from the dispensing opening once the inner container has been filled; and closing the dispensing opening by providing a tap unit therein.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the displacing medium is one of: air, pressurized air, a gas and a pressurized gas.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the displacing medium is introduced into the space between the inner container and the outer container at a filling pressure, said filling pressure being a function of the pressure at which the liquid is injected into the inner container through the filling conduit.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the liquid comprises a gas dissolved in it, and the filling pressure is set to be greater than the saturation pressure of the gas in the liquid.
 24. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the outflow valve and the aerating valve are integrated in one unit.
 25. The dispensing device of claim 24, wherein the integrated unit is pivotally connected via a shaft to a shared operating tab.
 26. The dispensing device of claim 25, wherein said operating tab is tensioned by a spring so as to return to a resting position when released.
 27. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising an annular conduit running around the outside circumference of the outflow valve through which the liquid is sent during dispensing. 